Stories about Governance from September, 2024
‘Houses yes, shacks no': The housing project that came out of Portugal’s Carnation Revolution
Influenced by collective housing projects, the process involved architects, social workers, and the general population. Among the mottos of the period was "Houses are for the people. Down with exploitation"
Russia’s hybrid book censorship and propagandistic agenda
The Song of Achilles by Madeleine Miller and A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, among other books, are suspected of spreading “LGBT propaganda.”
GV webinar: The ABCs of digital repression in Venezuela
In this webinar, we explored the Venezuelan regime's "package" of digital repression instruments, how they have evolved, and analyze how they have been used after the last presidential.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake wins Sri Lanka’s presidential election and calls for snap parliamentary elections
Sri Lankans made history by electing Anura Kumara Dissanayake as Sri Lanka’s ninth executive president in the September 21 presidential election.
The impact of China's fishing policies on West Africa
Climate pressure and overfishing have reduced domestic fish output in China, forcing Chinese fishing vessels into overseas waters. Fishermen in West Africa are paying the price.
What is behind the Kremlin’s increasingly anti-immigration line?
Anti-immigration rhetoric is meant to introduce into the official nationalism the idea that “Russian civilization” must be protected not only from the West but also from the south.
‘Truth deserves to be seen’: Artists decry film censorship in the Philippines
Two Philippine films were given X-ratings, and therefore banned from airing in theaters, angering cinephiles and free-speech activists alike.
Lessons from Indonesia's 2024 election: Social media, censorship, and youth vote
During the elections, generative AI content was used in the campaigns by many parties and there were a variety of attitudes towards its use.
Samoan journalists balk at planned restrictions during Commonwealth meeting
"Stifling the media is never a good thing and trying to control them is even worse."
Digital partisans: Dissecting Facebook sentiment towards Sri Lanka's main presidential candidates
Facebook’s approximately eight and a half million users in Sri Lanka post far more content and commentary at any time and on any issue or politician than other social media platforms.
How can Moldova unite the country amid Russian pressure?
The report’s authors called on Western partners to support Moldova’s struggling independent media and encourage the creation of trustworthy Russian-language media outlets
Chinese electric car production kicks off in Uzbekistan
The Uzbek government says it will give incentives for both consumers and producers of electric and hybrid cars until 2030.
Armenia's path out of Russia's orbit
A series of decisions taken by the government of Armenia in recent years signals the country moving further out of Russia's orbit of influence.
Twenty-five new cases of whooping cough in a week in North Macedonia, mostly unvaccinated babies affected
“It's essential to remember the lives at stake, especially our little ones. Vaccines against pertussis have proven to be safe and effective, and every action we take today shapes the health of tomorrow."
‘Crisis and revival of the Tatar national movement’: An interview with opposition media editor
Tatar publicist and editor-in-chief of the magazine Poistine, Ruslan Aysin is facing criminal charges in Russia for “rehabilitating Nazism.” This is retaliation for his opposition to the invasion of Ukraine.
Why do girls and women keep dying in Turkey?
A confession by one of the detained village residents brought further horror to a story that is all too familiar in a country that withdrew from Istanbul Convention in 2021
‘Peringatan Darurat’: Youth-led protest against corruption and nepotism in Indonesia
"The Peringatan Darurat movement represents a significant moment in Indonesian politics, demonstrating the power of social media to rapidly mobilise mass protests."
Georgian lawmakers inch closer to final approval of anti-LGBTQ+ law
Critics have pointed out that laws like the one adopted by Russia in 2013 to “protect children from information advocating a denial of traditional family values” have also increased hate crimes.
What you need to know about the X (formerly Twitter) situation in Brazil
Elon Musk challenged justice Alexandre de Moraes withdrawing X's legal representation in Brazil to avoid complying with legal orders. Now, Brazilians are finding a new heaven on BlueSky.
Georgian Dream Party vows to ban opposition if they win parliamentary majority
Speaking at the opening of the new head quarters of the ruling party, it's founder, Bidzina Ivanishvili threatened legal sanctions against opposition figures following the vote.
Pacific leaders’ statement removes Taiwan reference after China complaint
China intervened in the annual Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), insisting Pacific leaders remove any mention of Taiwan from their communique on the forum.
